Update Frequency
Data freshness varies by product. Real-time queries (AVM, flood zone, fire risk) reflect the most recently ingested dataset. Time-series products (census, crime) cover specific survey years.
Update cadence by product
| Product | Update Frequency | Current Dataset |
|---|---|---|
| Property AVM models | Quarterly retraining on new sale data | Q1 2026 |
| Rental AVM models | Quarterly retraining on new rental listings | Q1 2026 |
| Flood Zone (FEMA DFIRM) | As FEMA issues map amendments (LOMA/LOMR) | Updated continuously |
| Fire Risk (USDA) | Annual update cycle | 2023 release |
| Storm Surge (NOAA SLOSH) | Updated when NOAA revises basin models | 2023 models |
| Census Data (ACS) | Annual — new 5-year estimates released each December | 2019–2023 ACS |
| Crime Data (NIBRS) | Annual — FBI releases prior-year data each fall | 2019–2023 NIBRS |
| Socioeconomic Indices | Refreshed when new ACS data is available | 2023 ACS |
AVM model currency
AVM models are retrained quarterly on rolling sale transaction data. Model version and training date are not currently exposed in the API response but are tracked internally by model region.
ACS 5-year estimates
The ACS 5-year estimates represent data collected across a 5-year survey window. For example, the 2023 ACS covers respondents from January 2019 through December 2023. This means the 2023 dataset does not represent a single snapshot of 2023 — it is an aggregate over five years. The trade-off is greater statistical precision at small geographies (block group, census tract).
When year: 2023 is the default across the API, it refers to the most recently available ACS 5-year dataset.
Flood map amendments
FEMA issues map amendments (Letters of Map Amendment — LOMA, and Letters of Map Revision — LOMR) on a rolling basis. The flood zone data in PadStats reflects the official DFIRM maps as of the last ingestion date. Properties that have received recent LOMAs or LOMRs should be verified directly against FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.